Education helps teens get discounted auto insurance

Teen drivers have gotten quite the reputation for being unsafe drivers, which has resulted in higher car insurance rates for the age group.

Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that young drivers' reputations are supported with hard facts. A combination of being inexperienced, drinking and not wearing a seat belt contribute to car crashes being the leading cause of death for teenagers.

Concerned parents can take steps to help keep their teens safe on the road by imposing clear rules and attending educational classes. Teens who take driver's education classes are also likely to get discounted auto insurance rates.

Automotive group Midas is having a series of seminars called "Safe Car, Safe Driver" to help educate teens and parents.

"The summer months can be dangerous months," says Midas car coach Lauren Fix. "Teens have more free time and tend to become more lax about things, especially driving. As parents, it is our responsibility to not only talk to our kids about safe driving, but to lead by example by adopting a 'no distractions while driving' policy and being safer drivers ourselves."